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Friendship and Community Whakataukī

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Friendship and Community Whakataukī

Explore how a whakataukī can guide the way people build welcoming, supportive communities. Read the scenario, then answer each question. For personal reflection questions, there is no single correct answer; sample answers are provided as a guide.

A whakataukī about working together

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. A common English rendering is: “With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.” A rourou is a woven basket. The image suggests that people can contribute different things, and that sharing those contributions can benefit everyone. Whakataukī can have layers of meaning; people may discuss how a saying connects with their own experiences and communities. At a youth centre, Maia notices that a new member, Ari, is standing by themself while a group plans a weekend clean-up. Maia invites Ari to join the planning. Ari suggests making a simple map of the area, another person brings spare gloves, and someone else organises a rubbish-sorting station. The group checks that everyone wants a role and agrees on a meeting place that works for them. Their different contributions make the plan more useful, and Ari begins to feel included.

Read, discuss and apply

Use details from the whakataukī and scenario. For questions about your own ideas, write a thoughtful example that shows care, respect and inclusion.

1.In the whakataukī, what does sharing the “food baskets” suggest people can do together?

Combine different contributions to help the wider group thrive.
Make sure everyone contributes exactly the same thing.
Let one person make all the decisions.
Avoid asking others for help.

2.Which two actions in the scenario help Ari feel included? Select two.

Maia invites Ari to join the planning.
The group checks that everyone wants a role.
The group decides Ari must do the hardest job.
The group plans without asking anyone what works for them.

3.Match each action from the scenario with the contribution it describes.

Ari suggests a simple map
A person brings spare gloves
Someone organises rubbish sorting

A practical task that supports the clean-up
An idea that helps people understand the area
Equipment shared with the group

4.Fill in the missing words: “Nā tō , nā taku , ka ora ai te iwi.”

5.True or false: The scenario suggests that everyone has to make the same contribution for the plan to work.

TrueFalse

6.Explain one way the group shows manaakitanga (care, kindness or hospitality) towards Ari. Use a detail from the scenario.

7.The scenario says the group checks that everyone wants a role. Why is asking rather than assuming a respectful way to include people?

8.Imagine someone new joins a group activity but does not want to speak in front of everyone. Suggest one welcoming way to offer them a contribution without putting them under pressure.

9.Describe a community activity and name two different contributions that could help it succeed. Explain briefly how each contribution helps.

10.Choose one small action you could take to help a group you belong to feel more welcoming. State what you would do and why it could help.